I stopped by Galeria, a massive shopping complex in the heart of St. Petersburg, right next to the Moscow Train Station. As a tourist, I was drawn to its central location – it's way more exciting to kill time here than stuck on the platform waiting for your train.
Galeria Shopping Complex, Ligovsky Prospekt, St. PetersburgAddress:
Ligovsky Prospekt, 30A
Hours of Operation:
Every day from 10:00 to 23:00
Galeria Shopping Center, St. PetersburgI wasn't planning on making any purchases, but I figured it'd be a great way to kill some time before my train and see what all the fuss is about.
With so many big-name brands, it's hard to be surprised by anything in a huge mall like this – everything's already available at your local high street. Still, I wanted to check it out and see what all the hype is about.
Big Mall in St. PetersburgThis place is massive – I'd need a whole day to explore every single store, and even then, I'd probably miss out on some hidden gems. The storefronts are so enticing, it's hard to resist browsing through the endless options.
Galeria Shopping Complex, Ligovsky Prospekt, St. PetersburgYou can do more than just shop and eat at the food court – Galeria hosts various events and activities. Check the schedule near the entrance to see what's happening while you're there. They've got everything from fashion shows to masterclasses, so you're sure to find something that suits your interests.
Galeria Shopping Complex, Ligovsky Prospekt, St. PetersburgAs luck would have it, I stumbled upon an MTS event in the central atrium. To participate, you just needed to download their app and answer a few questions. The winners got prizes from a prize-dispensing machine – and, guess what, I won a power bank!
MTS Activity with Prize GiveawaysDuring the New Year's holidays, Galeria was decked out in decorations and looked absolutely stunning. With the snowfall outside, the complex was bustling with people – it was a great place to be on a cold winter's day.
TC Gallery near Moscow Railway Station, St. Petersburg
I tried not to go into stores to avoid buying something on a whim, but when I saw the market, I couldn't resist strolling through the rows – I just love handmade stuff, and I'm a knitting enthusiast myself.
What to bring back from St. PetersburgI can spend hours browsing these stalls, admiring the goods, and picking out something unique.
It's no secret that St. Petersburg folks adore cats, so cat-themed toys and accessories are everywhere – you can grab them as souvenirs.
Original souvenirs from St. Petersburg – where to buy
Or handmade St. Petersburg gingerbread – I'm not sure how it compares to the famous Tula gingerbread, but I've yet to try it, and I might not even want to – I'd rather give it to someone as a gift!
What to bring back from St. Petersburg
I fell in love with these woolen slippers – they're so original-looking, but I left them in my 'maybe' pile for now, as I'm not sure if I need them.
Market in TC Gallery, St. Petersburg
I was absolutely thrilled with the unique New Year's soap in the shape of oranges – for some reason, oranges remind me of New Year's, even though they're available all year round.
Handmade soapIt immediately brought back memories of the essential oil I received at the Intercharm exhibition last autumn – I'd completely forgotten about it, and I could've added it to my aromatherapy lamp to get into the moodAbout how I gathered my courage and first proposed a collaboration not in writing, but in person with the brand. Intercharm is a huge cosmetics and beauty products exhibition. I'll show you my purchases, what they gave me, what I got for review, and what really disappointed me.
While I was browsing the market, my husband was getting bored, so he went to win prizes at MTS again – this time, he won a small blanket, which will now keep me warm on winter evenings as a reminder of our mini-trip.
I have to say, the shopping mall itself didn't really impress me - it's the same old stores and same old people, just in a different city.
Galeria Shopping Mall, St. Petersburg, reviewsI even told my husband that I have this strong feeling that I'll step out and end up in Moscow, because all the stores and layout are identical to any major shopping mall.
✔️ Convenient location
✔️ A wide range of stores for any budget
✔️ They have events and activities
✔️ The food court is huge
I didn't really look for cons, to be honest - everything here is pretty standard.